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07/10/2026

Read/ Watch: https://riffwiremag.com/story/20040001

LOS ANGELES — Hard rock collective The Dead Daisies has named former Foreigner vocalist Kelly Hansen as its new lead singer, charting a fresh chapter that includes new music and an extensive global tour set for 2027. The band announced the addition alongside details of a single titled "Lift Me Up," marking Hansen's first official material with the lineup. Hansen joins a roster featuring lead guitarist Doug Aldrich, rhythm guitarist David Lowy, drummer Tommy Clufetos, and bassist Jimi Crutchley. "When I left Foreigner after 20 great years, I told everybody I wasn't 'retiring' just moving on to other things," Hansen said in a statement. "This project gives me the opportunity to stretch out with some new melodies, a new vibe and fresh energy." The band is currently in the recording studio working on a full-length album. Tour dates have been confirmed across Europe starting March 4, 2027, in Bochum, Germany, followed by a U.S. leg launching April 30, 2027, in Lititz, Pennsylvania, and Scandinavian dates in September 2027. Hansen's arrival comes three months after the exit of vocalist John Corabi, who departed the group in July following a three-year stint.

07/10/2026

BREAKING NEWS YOU MISSED TODAY: OCT 7, 2026

Lineup shake-ups, AI shrugged, tours erupt—metal roars with trailers and KissCam chaos.

• Watch: The Dead Daisies Recruits Ex Foreigner Vocalist Kelly Hansen + Drop Video
• BREAKING: Dieth Parts Ways With Ex Megadeth Bassist, David Ellefson.
• DAVE MUSTAINE Plans To Review Leftover 'Half-Songs' From Recent MEGADETH Record For Release
• W.A.S.P. Frontman Blackie Lawless Unfazed by AI Music Tools: "It's Not Gonna Affect Me"
• STAIND ANNOUNCES 27-CITY SECOND LEG OF 'BREAK THE CYCLE' 25TH ANNIVERSARY NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

Full stories at riffwiremag.com — link in bio.

07/10/2026

Read/ Watch: https://riffwiremag.com/story/20010001

GDANSK, Poland — Metal band Dieth has parted ways with founding bassist David Ellefson and signed a record deal with Fireflash Records, the group announced Tuesday. Swedish musician Tobias Cristiansson, whose career includes stints with death metal acts Grave, Necrophobic, and Dismember, has joined as the new bassist. The lineup change marks a transition for the international metal group, which formed in Gdansk, Poland, in 2022. Ellefson, a former member of Megadeth, was part of the original roster alongside vocalist and guitarist Guilherme Miranda and drummer Michal Lysejko. Miranda said signing with Fireflash Records aligns with the band's direction as they prepare to release their second studio album. Dieth will release a new single, titled "Pound Of Flesh," accompanied by a music video on Oct. 16. The track serves as the initial release featuring the updated lineup. The band released its debut album, "To Hell And Back," through Na**lm Records in 2023 and toured across Europe and North America, including supporting slots for Sepultura, Testament, and Metal Allegiance. Dieth's current lineup consists of Miranda, Lysejko, guitarist Hubert Wiecek, and Cristiansson.

07/10/2026

Read/ Watch: https://riffwiremag.com/story/19980001

LOS ANGELES — Megadeth founder and frontman Dave Mustaine said he plans to review unused studio material and incomplete tracks recorded during past album sessions to evaluate whether any of the music can be finished and released. Speaking during a question-and-answer session on Sept. 24 at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, the 65-year-old guitarist and vocalist explained that while the thrash metal band's self-titled 17th studio album released in January 2026 is intended to be its final full-length record, previously unreleased song fragments could still see the light of day. Mustaine said the band frequently generates new ideas while recording that are tacked onto the ends of audio tracks. Once primary recording sessions wrap, the band often goes back to catalog those unused ideas. He clarified that any future releases would consist strictly of previously recorded session material rather than newly written songs, noting that a progressive hand condition, Dupuytren contracture, will eventually restrict his ability to play guitar. Mustaine announced in August 2025 that the band's 17th album would be its last due to the progressive medical condition, which causes fingers to bend inward toward the palm. He plans to undergo surgery for the condition after completing a global farewell tour that could span three to five years.

07/10/2026

Read/ Watch: https://riffwiremag.com/story/19950001

HOUSTON — W.A.S.P. frontman Blackie Lawless brushed off concerns regarding artificial intelligence in music creation, declaring during a pre-show fan question-and-answer session that the emerging technology "is not gonna affect me." Speaking to fans at a VIP event ahead of the heavy metal band's concert at the House of Blues in Houston, Texas, Lawless compared the current anxiety surrounding generative AI to the Y2K panic at the turn of the millennium, suggesting that much of the alarm may prove overstated. While acknowledging that AI tools could find a functional place in music production, Lawless expressed skepticism that machine learning software could mirror individual human perspective. He noted that what separates musical artists performing similar styles is unique individual personality, something he argued artificial intelligence currently cannot replicate. "If it gets to a point where it can think like an individual, then you are just going to have another potential individual making records," Lawless said, questioning how many AI-created tracks would ultimately be worth listening to. Lawless also reflected on copyright protection and legal challenges facing the music industry, referencing ongoing lawsuits by the Recording Industry Association of America against AI developers over alleged unauthorized data training. Drawing comparisons to past contract loopholes surrounding digital formats and early internet piracy, he noted that music publishers and record labels have historically evolved their contractual language to safeguard creative rights against emerging technologies. The veteran musician is currently on the road leading W.A.S.P. on the "1984 To Headless" tour alongside KK's Priest.

07/10/2026

Read/ Watch: https://riffwiremag.com/story/19920001

NEW YORK — Multi-platinum rock band Staind has announced a second leg of its North American tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of its breakout 2001 album, "Break The Cycle." The 27-city arena and amphitheater trek, produced by Live Nation, kicks off March 4 at SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire, and runs through April 16, concluding at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The tour includes major stops in Pittsburgh, Dallas, Seattle, Vancouver, and Calgary. Joining Staind on the road as special guests will be fellow 2000s rock staples Seether and Hoobastank. Hinder will also serve as support on all dates with the exception of the tour finale in Cleveland. First released in 2001 via Flip Records, "Break The Cycle" earned seven-time platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America for selling more than 7 million units in the United States. Driven by the hit single "It's Been A While," which spent 20 weeks atop modern rock radio charts, the album spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart upon release. Lead vocalist Aaron Lewis reflected on the milestone in a statement released with the announcement, noting that he met guitarist Mike Mushok at a Christmas party in 1993 and never expected the group to be touring major venues decades later. Presales for the tour begin Wednesday, Oct. 7, through Spotify, Citi, and artist channels. General ticket sales open Friday, Oct. 9, at 10 a.m. local time.

07/10/2026

Read/ Watch: https://riffwiremag.com/story/19890001

NEW YORK — "Roger Waters Presents LEGACY — A Pink Floyd Show," the concert tour celebrating Pink Floyd's peak 1970s catalog under the direction of the band's former bassist, has expanded its international schedule with newly added performance dates across the United Kingdom and Ireland. The UK and Ireland leg is scheduled to run from June 16 through June 29, 2027. The run kicks off at the O2 Apollo in Manchester, England, and stops at venues including the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow, Scotland; the Edinburgh Playhouse; the O2 City Hall in Newcastle; Sheffield City Hall; the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend; the Brighton Centre; Civic Halls in Wolverhampton; and the Eventim Apollo in London, before wrapping up at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. While Roger Waters created and directed the production, he does not perform on stage during the tour. The live show features a 10-piece band fronted by his son, pianist and composer Harry Waters, who serves as musical director and performs on B3 organ, piano, and vocals. The performance spans more than two hours, focusing on material from Pink Floyd’s golden era between 1971 and 1979, with selections from "The Dark Side of the Moon," "Wish You Were Here," "Animals," and "The Wall." High-definition LED video production created under Roger Waters' guidance accompanies the performance. Tickets for the UK and Ireland performances go on general sale Oct. 9, following a pre-sale period. The broader tour kicks off Feb. 15, 2027, in Columbus, Georgia, and spans North America, mainland Europe, the UK, and Ireland.

07/10/2026

Read/ Watch: https://riffwiremag.com/story/19860001

LONDON — A musical biographical feature film chronicling the rise of legendary German hard rock group Scorpions will hit German movie theaters on Jan. 28, 2027, following the debut of an official trailer. The film, titled "Wind of Change," traces the group's journey from post-World War II West Germany to global rock stardom, culminating with the release of their hit 1990 power ballad that became an anthem for the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War. International theatrical release dates for territories outside Germany have not yet been announced. Directed by Alex Ranarivelo, the feature is produced by ESX Entertainment alongside FOX Entertainment Studios and in association with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Principal photography took place at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden in London and on location across the United Kingdom. The cast features Ludwig Trepte as lead vocalist Klaus Meine, Alexander Dreymon as rhythm guitarist Rudolf Schenker, Ed Speleers as lead guitarist Matthias Jabs, and Luke Brandon Field as drummer Herman Rarebell. Actor Dominic West stars as the band’s longtime manager, Doc McGhee, while David Kross plays Andrej, a close friend of the band imprisoned in East Germany. "Lots of music movies only focus on s*x, drugs and rock 'n' roll," Meine said of the project. "But this one has another side too. It follows us from the early days up until this very special moment in time."

07/10/2026

Read/ Watch: https://riffwiremag.com/story/19830001

LAS VEGAS — Metallica lead singer and guitarist James Hetfield made an unexpected appearance on the big screen during an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday. Hetfield, 63, was attended the Las Vegas Raiders matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs when he was featured on the stadium's massive video display during a stoppage in play in the third quarter. Upon appearing on screen, the longtime Raiders fan cheered before leaning over to kiss his fiancée, fashion designer Adriana Gillett. The couple, who have been together since 2023, announced their engagement earlier this year. Hetfield was in Las Vegas amidst Metallica's ongoing concert residency at Sphere. The metal icon has been a vocal supporter of the Raiders franchise since its tenure in Oakland, California. The Raiders lost the contest to the Chiefs, 30-27.

06/10/2026

Read/ Watch: https://riffwiremag.com/story/19800001

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Mudvayne frontman Chad Gray has canceled two California concerts on his solo tour after undergoing a medical procedure that revealed severe damage to his vocal cords. The 54-year-old vocalist revealed during an interview on The Jesea Lee Show that doctors examined his throat with an endoscope and discovered one of his vocal folds was enlarged to twice its normal size, alongside a broken blood vessel. The injury forced Gray to cancel solo appearances scheduled for Oct. 5 at the House of Blues in San Diego and Oct. 6 at the Observatory OC in Santa Ana, California. His "30 Years Of Madnesss" solo tour is scheduled to resume Oct. 7 at the Fremont Country Club in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gray said he initially believed his vocal difficulties were caused by ragweed allergies during rehearsals in Nashville. However, as his condition worsened, a vocal coach advised him to seek medical evaluation. "One of my vocal folds is twice as wide as the other one, which makes it heavier than the way your vocals work," Gray said in the interview. "And there's a big broken blood vessel on the front of it, which means that at some point I've hemorrhaged." Gray said physicians have not recommended surgery at this stage, instructing him to remain on strict vocal rest while allowing time for the injury to heal. "To tell you I was scared would be the understatement of my life, 'cause I'm scared to death," Gray said. "It's not only my instrument — it's my life, it's my career, it's what I do for a living." Gray, who also fronted the heavy metal group Hellyeah, launched the solo tour to celebrate three decades in music while Mudvayne takes a break from touring in 2026. Ticket holders for the canceled dates were offered transfers to the Las Vegas performance or full refunds.

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